CLARK COUNTY, Indiana — Chelsea Crump is one of many parents concerned about the proposed changes that raises the bar on graduating high school in Indiana.
The new proposed diploma requires 42 credits compared to the current 'Core 40' that requires 40 credits.
"Although in retrospect it sounds great, it sounds awesome, I don't know if it's attainable with the resources we have at our schools," said Crump.
The future diploma credit requirements would start with the class of 2029. It requires seven credits for both math and STEM instead of the current six.
Crump is most concerned about what the two STEM-focused credits mean.
"What are those STEM-focus credits that they will need?" Crump said. "I think that's going to give us more information to work with just because there are universities and colleges that will require certain things."
The future diploma also has an Honors Seal and an Honors Plus Seal with three categories in enrollment, employment and military enlistment.
Crump thinks the course load is too complicated.
"I'm not sure how they're going to make these new rules fit, I think we'll be a little ahead of the game with that and that's not fair to some of those smaller schools," she said.
Crump isn't the only one who felt the requirements need to be adjusted.
"I'm concerned about the balance between flexibility and rigor," Lori Stinson said. Stinson is the district supervisor of counseling for Greater Clark County Schools.
She is concerned about students managing credits for work based learning.
"They are looking at requiring AP courses to be passed and we don't get those results until July so there is some technical problems," Stinson said.
She felt more work needs to be done before the diploma is made official.
State Rep. Wendy Dant Chesser called this meeting after hearing parents' concerns. She planned on taking the comments to the Indiana Department of Education.
"How we balance the greater good for all students and educators is going to be a tough decision," she said.
But Crump is grateful for the community input.
"If we can get that information to Indianapolis to the people that are helping create this, I just think that will be very empowering," said Crump.
She hoped this feedback will make learning better.
The final rule for the future Indiana diploma must be adopted by Dec. 31.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.